ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup- Round Two
5th October 2005 By Munster Rugby
Round Two of the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup takes place this weekend- with the results also determining teams going forward to the All Ireland Cup
ROUND 2 PREVIEW
ODM MUNSTER SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP
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The second round of the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup takes place this weekend, with four of the second round games taking place on Saturday, and the last game, UL Bohemian v Cork Constitution, taking place on October 15th, doubling up with their AIL fixture.
Round Two has an added incentive for those involved, with the results of the Round Two games determining the teams that will go forward for the inaugural All Ireland Cup. Teams from all four provinces competing in the AIL League will be vying for the honour of winning the competition in its inaugural year. Munster will be represented in the competition by five AIL League competing teams, with the results of the Second Round of the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup determining the five teams going forward. Leinster will have six teams in the competition, with four from Ulster and two from Connacht.
Seventeen teams started out on the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup campaign, which is soon to be reduced to just five. From the five Round Two winners, two will play in a quarter final, leaving four teams to contest for the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup semi finals.
Defending champions Shannon sent a clear message to pretenders to the title when they notched up ten tries to defeat UCC 62-13 in the first round. They travel to Towns Park to play Midleton, who had a resounding 31-7 win over Highfield. One of the most significant results to date has been the progression of Cashel, the only Junior club in the competition who knocked out Sunday s Well with a 29-20 first round victory. Should Cashel defeat Waterpark in their second round clash, they will be ineligible to go through to the All Ireland Cup, as it is a competition for AIL competing teams only. However, a victory for Cashel would see them through, as normal, to the next round of the ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup. Waterpark, along with Clonakilty and Garryowen, are coming into the competition at this stage, having being given a bye in the first round. Clonakilty will host Dolphin at Shannon Vale, after Dolphin defeated Bruff 28-15 in the first round. Young Munster defeated Nenagh Ormond 29-8 in the first round and will host Garryowen in Clifford Park. All games kick off at 2.30pm.
Notes:
Title holders, Shannon RFC, will be aiming for their 18th title, having already claimed a place in the record books last season by winning the competition six times in consecutive years.
Last year s beaten finalists, Garryowen, have a tremendous record in the competition, having won it 35 times.
Cork Constitution have taken the title 22 times.
This year, Junior club Cashel will be competing in the Munster Senior Challenge Cup for the first time, having earned their place by winning the Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup last season.
ODM MUNSTER SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP
FIXTURES/RESULTS
ROUND 2 FIXTURES
Clonakilty v Dolphin, Shannon Vale, 2.30pm
Midleton v Shannon, Towns Park, 2.30pm
Waterpark v Cashel, Ballinakill, 2.30pm
Young Munster v Garryowen, Clifford Park, 2.30pm
UL Bohemian v Cork Constitution (pp)
ROUND 1 RESULTS
Saturday 24th September 2005
Cashel 29 Sunday s Well 20
Dolphin 28 Bruff 15
Midleton 31 Highfield 7
Shannon 62 UCC 13
UL Bohemian 18 Thomond 12
Young Munster 29 Nenagh Ormond 8
Cork Constitution 31 Old Crescent 17
BYES: Clonakilty, Waterpark, Garryowen
QUARTER FINAL
Week Ending 12th November 2005 (1 Game)
SEMI FINALS
Week Ending 26th November 2005
FINAL
31st December
ALL IRELAND CUP
The All Ireland Cup has been introduced for teams competing in the AIL League. Seventeen teams in total will compete in the inaugural All Ireland Cup. Munster will have five teams, Leinster will have 6, four from Ulster and two from Connacht.
Round One is due to take place the week ending November 12th 2005
Round Two- w/e 17th December 2005
Quarter Finals- w/e 11th February 2005
Semi Finals- w/e 25th February 2005
All Ireland Cup Final- Saturday 8th April 2005
(Fixtures subject to change)
